A BNSF train hauling more than a dozen rail cars derailed early on Thursday near Raymond, Minnesota, with some of the ethanol-carrying tanks catching fire as a result. At 1:02 in the morning, 22 train cars reportedly derailed, according to BNSF. According to the Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office, the train was transporting liquid ethanol and corn syrup. The flames had enveloped several train carriages.
Four automobiles that contained ethanol, a substance that is very flammable, burst, caught fire, and are still burning, according to a tweet from the EPA Great Lakes. Around 10:30 a.m., crews were still battling the flames.
There have been no reported injuries. The reason for the derailment is being looked into.
Highway blocked near derailment, residents evacuated A half-mile radius around the derailment has been evacuated to Prinsburg, Minnesota, which is close by.
It is not advisable to go there. According to MnDOT, Highway 23 is blocked in Raymond until further notice.
According to a tweet from the EPA, air quality is being monitored both on-site and in the neighborhood.
Governor Walz meets locals near the derailment. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and representatives of the state's emergency management team visited Raymond to see where the train derailed. Pete Buttigieg, secretary of the US Department of Transportation, briefed the governor before he met with locals.
"A BNSF train carrying ethanol derailed early this morning, forcing an evacuation in the Raymond, Minnesota, area. FRA is on the scene. No injuries or deaths have been recorded as of yet. We will participate in the probe and are actively monitoring as new information becomes available "But, he tweeted.
On Friday, March 31, at 2 p.m., the Minnesota Senate will host a hearing on rail safety to talk about a measure that would adopt emergency response plans and set training standards to increase rail safety.
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